Airlines in Nigeria have warned they may halt all flight operations starting April 20 if the sharp rise in jet fuel prices is not addressed, escalating tensions within the country’s aviation sector.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), representing about a dozen mostly domestic carriers, raised concerns in a letter dated April 14 to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN). The group said aviation fuel prices have surged by approximately 270% since late February.

According to the correspondence reviewed by Reuters, AON described the increase as both excessive and disconnected from global crude oil trends. The group warned that airlines are struggling to generate enough revenue to cover fuel expenses alone, placing operations at risk.

The pressure on airlines reflects broader disruptions in the global aviation market linked to the Iran war, which has driven fuel costs higher worldwide. While carriers globally are adjusting fares and scaling back expansion, African airlines face greater exposure. Data from the African Airlines Association indicates fuel typically accounts for 30% to 40% of operating costs in Africa, compared with a global average of 20% to 25%.

MEMAN rejected the airlines’ claims, stating that the prices cited by AON exceed market averages by more than 40%. The association noted that aviation fuel distribution requires specialized infrastructure and handling, contributing to higher costs.

Airlines also cautioned against fare increases, warning that higher ticket prices could reduce passenger demand. A complete suspension of operations, they added, would have wider economic consequences, including job losses, financial strain on banks, and increased security risks.

Official data shows Nigeria’s aviation sector consumed roughly 2.1 million litres of jet fuel daily last month. However, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, the country’s only domestic producer of jet fuel, did not supply the local market in March.

Meanwhile, figures from tanker-tracking firm Kpler revealed that Nigeria’s exports of refined petroleum products — including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and jet fuel — more than doubled month-on-month during the same period.

The refinery has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Source: ZAWYA

Iran has begun restoring limited access to its airspace, permitting international transit flights to cross the eastern portion of the country, the Civil Aviation Authority announced on Saturday. The move signals a partial easing of earlier restrictions, though normal air traffic patterns have yet to fully return.

According to aviation officials, specific corridors in eastern Iran are now available for overflights by international carriers. In addition, a number of airports resumed operations starting at 7:00 am local time (0330 GMT), marking an initial step toward broader reopening.

Despite the announcement, real-time flight tracking platforms showed minimal immediate change in airline behavior. Several hours after the reopening, many international carriers continued to avoid Iranian airspace, choosing longer alternative routes over neighboring regions. Industry observers suggest that airlines are likely taking a cautious approach as they assess safety conditions, insurance considerations, and operational risks before resuming regular flight paths.

The partial reopening comes amid ongoing regional tensions that have disrupted aviation routes across parts of the Middle East, forcing airlines to reroute flights and increasing travel times and fuel costs. Aviation analysts note that while reopening eastern corridors may help ease congestion on alternative routes, a full return to normal operations will depend on sustained stability and clear safety assurances.

Authorities have not specified a timeline for the complete restoration of Iran’s airspace, indicating that further decisions will be guided by evolving security conditions. Airlines are expected to monitor updates closely and adjust their operations accordingly in the coming days.

Source: thepeninsulaqatar

Airlines in Nigeria have warned they may halt all flight operations starting April 20 if the sharp rise in jet fuel prices is not addressed, escalating tensions within the country’s aviation sector.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), representing about a dozen mostly domestic carriers, raised concerns in a letter dated April 14 to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN). The group said aviation fuel prices have surged by approximately 270% since late February.

According to the correspondence reviewed by Reuters, AON described the increase as both excessive and disconnected from global crude oil trends. The group warned that airlines are struggling to generate enough revenue to cover fuel expenses alone, placing operations at risk.

The pressure on airlines reflects broader disruptions in the global aviation market linked to the Iran war, which has driven fuel costs higher worldwide. While carriers globally are adjusting fares and scaling back expansion, African airlines face greater exposure. Data from the African Airlines Association indicates fuel typically accounts for 30% to 40% of operating costs in Africa, compared with a global average of 20% to 25%.

MEMAN rejected the airlines’ claims, stating that the prices cited by AON exceed market averages by more than 40%. The association noted that aviation fuel distribution requires specialized infrastructure and handling, contributing to higher costs.

Airlines also cautioned against fare increases, warning that higher ticket prices could reduce passenger demand. A complete suspension of operations, they added, would have wider economic consequences, including job losses, financial strain on banks, and increased security risks.

Official data shows Nigeria’s aviation sector consumed roughly 2.1 million litres of jet fuel daily last month. However, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, the country’s only domestic producer of jet fuel, did not supply the local market in March.

Meanwhile, figures from tanker-tracking firm Kpler revealed that Nigeria’s exports of refined petroleum products — including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and jet fuel — more than doubled month-on-month during the same period.

The refinery has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Source: ZAWYA

An international airline has unveiled a new interline partnership with WestJet, significantly broadening its network across Canada and the United States.

Under the agreement, passengers will be able to travel on single-ticket itineraries with smooth onward connections through Toronto and Vancouver. The arrangement also includes through-checked baggage, simplifying the travel experience for connecting journeys.

The expanded network covers 17 destinations within Canada and 14 cities across the United States. Travellers will also gain improved access to additional locations such as Halifax, Calgary, and St. John’s, with connections routed through the airline’s European gateways.

Bookings for these interline services are now open via the airline’s official website, mobile application, and through travel agents worldwide.

Saudi low-cost airline flyadeal has confirmed key cabin design and supplier partnerships for its first widebody aircraft, the Airbus A330-900neo, marking a significant step toward its planned long-haul operations.

The airline will introduce a two-class configuration across its fleet of 10 A330neos, featuring 406 Economy Class seats alongside 14 Premium Economy seats. Entry into service is expected in 2027, with deliveries beginning in the summer of that year.

The cabins are designed with long-haul travel in mind, incorporating ergonomic reclining seats, enhanced back support, adjustable headrests, USB Type-C charging ports, and ambient lighting intended to improve passenger comfort.

For the Premium Economy section, Italian manufacturer Geven will supply its Comoda AQ seats. Arranged in a 2-3-2 layout across two rows, the seats offer a 38-inch pitch and up to 8 inches of recline, aimed at increasing personal space and comfort on medium- to long-haul routes.

Economy Class seating will be provided by Chinese firm Jiatai, marking its debut in the Middle East market. The cabin will feature a 3-3-3 configuration, with seat pitch reaching up to 30 inches, focusing on efficiency while maintaining passenger comfort.

With a flight range exceeding 11 hours, the A330neos are expected to serve routes connecting Saudi Arabia with destinations across Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Sanjiv Kapoor, Executive Vice President of Strategy at Saudia Group and acting CEO of flyadeal, said the airline spent nearly a year finalising cabin specifications. He noted that considerations such as comfort, weight, durability, sustainability, and overall cabin atmosphere guided the selection process. Kapoor added that the airline aims to differentiate itself by entering the widebody segment while maintaining its low-cost model.

Geven’s Managing Director, Alberto Veneruso, described the partnership as a milestone, highlighting the introduction of the Comoda AQ seat to flyadeal’s passengers. Meanwhile, Jiatai Chairman Jingfeng Liu said the collaboration represents a key step in expanding the global footprint of Chinese aircraft seating manufacturers.

Additional suppliers have also been selected as part of the aircraft interior programme. France-based Safran Cabin will provide customised galleys designed to improve workspace efficiency for cabin crew. Swiss firm Lantal Textiles will supply carpets and curtains, extending its existing partnership with the airline.

The announcements were made during the Aircraft Interiors Expo held in Hamburg, a major industry event focused on cabin innovation.

flyadeal has rapidly expanded since its launch, currently operating 46 Airbus A320 family aircraft from bases in Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah and Dammam, serving more than 40 destinations across the Middle East, Europe, North Africa and South Asia. As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, the airline aims to grow its fleet and network to over 100 aircraft and destinations by the end of the decade.

Source: ZAWYA

IndiGo Airlines (6E) has reached a historic benchmark, becoming the first airline globally to take direct delivery of 500 aircraft from Airbus. The milestone was achieved earlier this month with little fanfare, reflecting the airline’s understated corporate culture.

The 500th aircraft, registered VT-ION, is a CFM-powered A320neo. Its low-key induction into the fleet mirrors IndiGo’s origins as a cost-conscious startup that has since evolved into one of the world’s largest carriers.

The achievement traces back nearly 20 years to the 2005 Paris Air Show, when InterGlobe Aviation placed an order for 100 Airbus aircraft — a decision widely viewed as ambitious at the time. India’s private aviation sector then operated a combined fleet of just 55 aircraft. IndiGo’s first jet, VT-INA, entered service in August 2006, marking the beginning of a rapid growth trajectory.

With this latest delivery, IndiGo surpasses all other passenger airlines in terms of direct Airbus acquisitions. While aircraft lessors such as ILFC — now part of AerCap — and NAS Aviation USA have recorded higher cumulative deliveries, they do not operate commercial passenger services. Among airlines, Lufthansa follows with 466 aircraft, while China Eastern has taken delivery of 449, according to aviation analyst Ameya Joshi.

IndiGo also holds the largest Airbus order backlog globally, with a total of 1,400 aircraft on order. By the end of March 2025, the airline had received 499 aircraft, with additional deliveries in April pushing the total beyond the 500 mark.

Of the remaining 899 aircraft scheduled for delivery over the next decade, 60 will be A350-900 widebody jets. These aircraft are expected to support IndiGo’s planned expansion into long-haul international operations. In comparison, AerCap holds 801 orders, while EasyJet has committed to 705 aircraft.

A key factor behind IndiGo’s success has been its early and consistent focus on operating a single aircraft family. As the launch customer in India for the A320neo series, the airline leveraged the model’s fuel efficiency to build a high-frequency, low-cost network. This strategy enabled streamlined pilot training, reduced maintenance complexity, and improved operational efficiency compared with competitors managing mixed fleets.

Source: AVIATION A2Z